Casey Bill Will Ensure Veterans Have Personal Representative to Help Navigate Services
Representatives Help Veterans with Services Like Employment Assistance, Health and Mental Care, and Financial Support Services
WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) announced today that he has introduced legislation to help returning National Guard members take advantage of the numerous programs that offer services such as employment assistance, health and mental care, and financial support services by ensuring that each Guard member has a personal representative to guide them through military programs.
Senator Casey’s Transition Assistance Advisors Act of 2012 would permanently authorize a pilot program that created 62 Transition Assistant Advisors (TAAs) to assist National Guard members with benefits and programs provided by the Department of Defense, Veterans Affairs, Department of Labor, TRICARE, Veteran Services Organizations, and other agencies and non-profits.
“After courageously serving our country, our veterans deserve the best possible care and direct access to services that ease their transition back to civilian life,” said Senator Casey. “My legislation will make it easier for veterans to find jobs, receive medical care and manage their finances. This is one way we can honor their sacrifice for the Nation.”
In the two years since the TAA pilot was launched, 62 TAAs have reached more than 194,000 veterans and family members, taken 306,756 phones calls, emails and meetings with veterans, and assisted nearly 10,000 veterans in enrolling in the VA.
Senator Casey’s Transition Assistance Advisor Act of 2012 would permanently authorize the TAA program. Specifically, TAA responsibilities to include:
- Assisting in creating and executing individual transition plans for any Guard member deployed for at least 180 days
- Providing employment support services, including discovering employment opportunities
- Providing information on relocation, health care, mental health care and financial support services within the DOD, VA, and other federal state and local agencies.
- Providing information on educational support services
Senator Casey’s bill has been endorsed by the National Guard Association of the United States (NGAUS).
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